Systems for activating electronic devices for operation with athletic equipment

ABSTRACT

Articles of clothing or pieces of athletic equipment include modules, e.g., for sensing physical and/or physiological characteristics associated with use of the clothing or athletic equipment or for performing other functions. Such systems and methods may use physical or other interaction(s) between the module and the article of clothing or piece of athletic equipment for activating and/or deactivating the module and/or sensing devices included with the module, for confirming whether the module and clothing or piece of athletic equipment are authorized for use with one another, and/or for automatic data algorithm selection methods. Additionally, such systems and methods also may use the activation and/or authentication systems for data input to the module. Some examples of such systems and methods may utilize magnets and magnetic sensing systems and/or light (or other radiation) sources and sensing systems for activation, authentication, data input, and/or algorithm selection.

RELATED APPLICATION DATA

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/707,018 filed Dec. 6, 2012 and entitled “Systems for ActivatingElectronic Devices for Operation with Athletic Equipment,” in the nameof Charles W. Case, Jr., which application is a continuation of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 13/454,895 filed Apr. 24, 2012 and entitled“Systems for Activating and/or Authenticating Electronic Devices forOperation with Athletic Equipment,” in the name of Charles Whipple Case,Jr., now U.S. Pat. No. 8,350,708, which application is a continuation ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/407,328 filed Apr. 20, 2006 andentitled “Systems for Activating and/or Authenticating ElectronicDevices for Operation with Apparel and Equipment,” in the name ofCharles Whipple Case, Jr., now U.S. Pat. No. 8,188,868. Each of thesepriority applications is entirely incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to apparel and equipment (e.g.,athletic apparel and athletic equipment) that may be used with and/orinclude one or more electronic modules. At least some example aspects ofthis invention utilize physical and/or other interactions (e.g.,interactions between magnet sources or light sources with appropriatesensors) between the module and the article of apparel or equipment towhich it is attached (and/or an absence of and/or change in suchinteractions) for providing module activation/authentication informationand/or data processing algorithm selection information. Additionalexample aspects of the invention involve data input systems forelectronic modules.

Features and aspects of this invention also may be used in conjunctionwith the systems and methods described in commonly owned U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 11/166,351 filed Jun. 27, 2005, which applicationis entirely incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

Athletes at all levels of competition and fitness seek to testthemselves and measure their abilities against both themselves andfellow competitors, e.g., as a gauge of one's fitness or improvedprogress. It would be useful to provide small and portable electronicdevices that athletes could use for one or more purposes, for example:to provide performance measuring and feedback; to store collected datafor display and/or later analysis; and to provide information and/orentertainment to the user. Further, it would be advantageous to provideeasy, convenient, and lightweight activation and/or authenticationsystems for such electronic devices, e.g., to preserve battery life, toprevent measurement of data associated with undesired activity, and/orto prevent unauthorized use.

SUMMARY

Aspects of this invention relate to articles of clothing and/or piecesof athletic equipment that include one or more electronic modules. Thesemodules may include electronic devices for performing various functions,such as modules and devices for providing RFID information or activatingRFID systems; modules and devices for measuring, sensing, receiving,and/or transmitting data or information, such as data or informationrelating to various physical and/or physiological characteristicsassociated with activity taking place with a user wears the article ofclothing and/or uses the piece of athletic equipment, identifying dataor information, GPS information, and/or the like; etc. Aspects of theinvention also relate to various systems and methods for activatingand/or deactivating the module and/or electronic devices (e.g., sensingdevices, transmission devices, receiving devices, etc.) included with orcontrolled by the module.

Additional aspects of the invention relate to various systems andmethods for confirming whether the module and an article of clothingand/or a piece of athletic equipment to which it is attached areauthorized for use with one another; systems and methods for data inputto the module; and/or systems and methods for automatic data algorithmselection for use by the module. In at least some examples of thisinvention, physical or other interactions between the module and thearticle of clothing and/or the piece of athletic equipment with which itis engaged (and/or an absence of and/or change in such interactions) maybe used for activating and/or deactivating the module and/or electronicdevices included with the module, for confirming whether the module andclothing and/or equipment are authorized for use with one another,and/or for automatic data algorithm selection. Systems and methodsaccording to at least some more specific examples of this invention mayutilize light sources and detectors and/or magnets and magnetic sensingsystems, such as Hall sensor systems, to activate the various systems(e.g., the module or electronic devices included with the module) and/orto initiate various methods, optionally without the need for furtherindependent user input or interaction. At least some examples of theinvention utilize magnetic or light interactions between the module andthe article of clothing and/or the piece of athletic equipment and/orchanges in the interaction when the module and article of clothingand/or piece of athletic equipment are engaged such that no physicalelement actually crosses the border of or enters into the module tocause the interaction or the change in interaction. This feature allowsthe module to be constructed in a tough, waterproof, and/or durablemanner.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the present invention and at least somefeatures and advantages thereof may be acquired by referring to thefollowing description and the accompanying drawings, in which likereference numbers indicate like features throughout, and wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates an example system and environment in which aspects ofthis invention may be practiced;

FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate schematic diagrams of an example electronicmodule, display device, and overall system that may be used inpracticing at least some example aspects of this invention;

FIGS. 4, 5, and 6 illustrate examples of articles of apparel that may beused in practicing at least some example aspects of this invention;

FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate examples of pieces of athletic equipment thatmay be used in practicing at least some example aspects of thisinvention; and

FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate examples of data input systems and methodsthat may be used in accordance with at least some example aspects ofthis invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description of various examples of the presentinvention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form apart hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration variousstructures, embodiments, and examples in which aspects of the inventionmay be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may beutilized and structural and functional modifications may be made withoutdeparting from the scope of the present invention.

I. GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF ASPECTS OF THE INVENTION

Aspects of the present invention relate generally to articles ofclothing and/or pieces of athletic equipment that include electronicmodules. As shown in FIG. 1, which generally illustrates an example ofthe invention and an example environment in which aspects of theinvention may be used, an article of clothing 100 (such as a torsocovering garment, like a tee shirt, a jersey, or the like) may beequipped with one or more electronic modules for various purposes, suchas performance measuring modules 102, other measuring modules 102, ormodules 102 for other purposes (e.g., data transmission, data reception,RFID, radio or other audio/video transmission/reception, GPStransmission/reception, etc.). The modules 102 may include one or moreelectronic devices, e.g., for sensing or collecting information during aperformance (e.g., during an athletic event or exercise or otherperformance), for providing information to the clothing or equipmentuser or others (e.g., transmission/reception devices, RFID devices,etc.), and/or for controlling another device (e.g., an auxiliary heatingor cooling system, an impact-attenuating system, etc.). While anydesired or suitable type(s) of information may be sensed, provided tothe user or others, and/or otherwise used or generated, more specificexamples of the types of information include: user traveling speedinformation; distance traveled information; GPS information; altitudeinformation; user physical or physiological information (e.g., heartrate, pulse rate, blood pressure, body temperature, EKG information, EEGinformation, etc.); information derived from the GPS, speed, distance,altitude, physical, physiological, or other information (e.g., warninginformation, route information, geographical information, etc.); RFIDgenerated information; and the like. Additionally or alternatively, themodule 102 may be used to control other devices or functions and/or toprovide data to other devices, including devices present as part of thearticle of clothing, on the user's person, carried by the user, or atother locations, such as heating or cooling devices, impact-attenuatingdevices, display devices, data receiving devices, devices carried on orincluded as part of the user's athletic equipment, etc.

As shown in the example of FIG. 1, as the user 104 moves, devicesprovided in the modules 102 mounted to or included in the article ofclothing 100 will measure one or more physical or physiologicalcharacteristics associated with the motion and/or with the use of theclothing (e.g., like speed and distance information, GPS information,pulse rate, heart rate, blood pressure, EKG, and/or the type(s) ofinformation described above), or perform other desired functions. Ifdesired, the data may be stored in a memory (e.g., a memory includedwith the module 102, provided in the clothing 100, provided with aperipheral device, etc.), e.g., for later use and/or analysis, and/or itmay be transmitted to the user or others, e.g., via wirelesstransmission devices 106 optionally included as part of the module 102or the article of clothing 100. Optionally, if desired, the module 102and/or the clothing 100 may include one or more microprocessors or otherdata processing capability to enable processing of the collected databefore transmitting the data or other information to the user 104 orothers, e.g., for display, storage, etc.

The data or desired information may be conveyed to the user 104 orothers in any desired manner without departing from the invention, forexample, to a wireless receiver 108 provided with a display device 110.Optionally, if desired, the display device 110 may be equipped with amicroprocessor to enable initial processing of raw data sent by themodule 102 or clothing 100, to enable further processing of data and/orinformation sent by the module 102 or clothing 100, etc. As morespecific examples, the display device 110 may include various electronicdevices, such as portable, user carried devices, e.g., a watch or wristworn device (as illustrated in FIG. 1), a PDA type device, a cellulartelephone, an MP3 or other audio player, a head worn display device, apager type device, headphones or earphones, etc. Any type of “displaydevice” also may be provided, such as audio devices, video devices,audio/video devices, alpha-numeric displays, etc.

In a similar manner, as will be described in more detail later in thisspecification, similar electronic modules 102 may be provided for usewith pieces of athletic equipment. Such devices may be used to collectand/or provide data to the user (e.g., physical data associated with useof the piece of athletic equipment, etc.), to provide audio or videoinformation to the user, etc.

In light of these general examples and the general description ofexample environments of use, various example aspects of the inventionwill be described in more detail below, including various examplefeatures relating to: the manner in which an electronic module may beengaged with an article of clothing or piece of athletic equipment, themanner in which the module and/or electronic devices included with itmay be activated and/or its use authenticated, the manner in which dataprocessing algorithms may be selected, the manner in which input datamay be entered, and/or the like.

A. Automatic ON/OFF

One aspect of this invention relates to clothing and/or athleticequipment systems including electronic devices, such as devices thatprovide information to the user or others, e.g., physical orphysiological information associated with use of the article of clothingor equipment and/or associated with the user's performance while wearingthe article of clothing or using the equipment. In accordance with atleast some examples of this invention, a clothing or athletic equipmentsystem may include: (a) an article of clothing or a piece of athleticequipment having a module securing element; (b) a module removablyengaged with the module securing element, wherein the module includes anelectronic device (e.g., a sensing element that senses at least onephysical or physiological characteristic associated with use of thearticle of clothing or the piece of athletic equipment (e.g., speedand/or distance information, jump height information, GPS information,altitude information, user physical or physiological information, gaminginformation, swing speed information, ball speed information, etc.));and (c) an activation system that senses whether the module is engagedwith the module securing element and activates the module or at least afirst function of the module (e.g., the electronic device or someportion or function thereof, etc.) when the module is determined to beengaged with the module securing element. If desired, at least a firstportion of the activation system may be included with and/or as part ofthe article of clothing or piece of athletic equipment, and a secondportion of the activation system may be included with and/or as part ofthe module. The first portion of the activation system may be providedin or on the article of clothing or piece of athletic equipment in aposition such that it is located proximate to the module securingelement at least when the article of clothing or piece of athleticequipment is in use.

In at least some examples of the invention, the module, or at least somefunctions of the module, may be initiated or enabled automatically, forexample, whenever the module is engaged at the module securing elementand/or whenever the module is detected as being located at the modulesecuring element. Determination as to whether the module is located atthe module securing element and/or detection of the module at the modulesecuring element may take place in any suitable or desired mannerwithout departing from the invention. For example, the activation systemmay include a magnetic sensor system, a piezoelectric system, anaccelerometer, a light sensor, or the like that produces an output whenthe module is included at or engaged with the module securing element.When the activation system includes a magnetic sensor, such as a Hallsensor system, a first portion of the magnetic sensor system (e.g., amagnet, a magnetic sensor, etc.) may be included with the article ofclothing or piece of athletic equipment, and a second portion of themagnetic sensor system (e.g., a magnetic sensor, a magnet, etc.) may beincluded with the module. In other examples, if desired, either of themodule or the article of clothing or the piece of athletic equipment mayinclude both the source and the sensor, but changes in the sensedmagnetic characteristics or an interrupted light beam may be sensed whenthe module is engaged with the module securing element. In at least someexamples of such systems, if the article of clothing or piece ofathletic equipment and the module do not each include the correspondingparts of the activation system and/or do not induce a predeterminedinteraction or change in the sensed characteristic(s), the module willnot be activated and/or will be disabled and/or various functions of themodule will not be activated and/or will be disabled. Examples ofactivation of the module and/or functions of the module will bedescribed in more detail below in connection with various figures.

The module may be secured to the article of clothing or piece ofathletic equipment in any desired manner without departing from thisinvention, e.g., the module securing element may take on any desiredform without departing from the invention. In at least some examples ofthis invention, the module will be releasably secured to the article ofclothing or piece of athletic equipment, e.g., such that it can bereadily removed therefrom, if desired. As some more specific examples,the module securing element may take the form of a pocket, groove, orslot, formed in or on the article of clothing or piece of athleticequipment into which the module may be received. The module also may beheld to the article of clothing or piece of athletic equipment in anydesired manner without departing from the invention, such as viamechanical connectors, such as straps, flaps, hook-and-loop typefasteners, snaps, hooks, clasps, clamps, other mechanical fasteners,retaining walls or elements, tension fittings, detents, spring loading,etc.

In at least some examples of the invention, the module, or at least somefunctions of the module, may be initiated or enabled automatically, forexample, whenever the module is engaged at the module securing elementand/or whenever the module is detected at the module securing element.In accordance with other aspects of the invention, however, activationof the module and/or various functions of the module may be somewhatmore selective. Another example aspect of this invention relates to aclothing or athletic equipment system that includes: (a) an article ofclothing or piece of athletic equipment having a module securingelement; (b) a module removably engaged with the module securingelement, wherein the module includes an electronic device (e.g., asensing element that senses at least one physical or physiologicalcharacteristic associated with use of the article of clothing or pieceof athletic equipment); and (c) an activation system that senses whetherthe module is engaged with the module securing element in a firstorientation and activates the module or at least a first function of themodule (e.g., the electronic device or some portion or function of theelectronic device, etc.) when the module is determined to be engagedwith the module securing element in the first orientation. In at leastsome examples of such systems, if the module is engaged with the modulesecuring element in a manner other than in the first orientation (e.g.,other than in a predetermined activation orientation), the module may beshut off, deactivated, disabled, not turned on, and/or not activatedand/or various functions of the module may be shut off, deactivated,disabled, not turned on, and/or not activated.

These example features of the invention may be used to easily switch themodule and/or various functions of the module on and off. As some morespecific examples, when the module is engaged with the module securingelement in the first orientation, this will turn the module on and/oractivate various functions of the module. Removing the module from themodule securing element, flipping it over, rotating it, and/or the like,and then re-engaging it with the module securing element may bedetected, e.g., by a magnetic sensor or other detector systems asdescribed above, and these changes will place the module at anorientation other than the predetermined activation orientation. Inresponse to these orientation changes (and/or whenever the module isengaged with a module securing element in an orientation other than thepredetermined activation orientation), the module may be shut off and/orvarious functions of the module may be shut off, disabled, etc. Thisexample feature may be used to extend battery life; to shut down moduletransmission/reception capabilities (if any) for airline travel,hospital use, and/or use at other transmission/reception sensitivelocalities; etc. In at least some examples of such systems, if thearticle of clothing or piece of athletic equipment and the module do noteach include the corresponding parts of the activation system and/or donot otherwise induce an expected interaction and/or change in detectedinteraction, the module will not be activated and/or will be disabledand/or various functions of the module will not be activated and/or willbe disabled.

As described above, various portions of the activation system may beincluded with the article of clothing or piece of athletic equipmentand/or the module, and the various types of activation systems, sensorsystems, securing elements, securing methods, etc. as described abovemay be used without departing from this aspect of the invention. Also,various arrangements of the portions of the systems included withclothing or athletic equipment (e.g., the module, activation system,sensing elements, etc.), for example, as described above, may be usedwithout departing from this aspect of the invention.

Additional aspects of the invention relate to methods of activating anelectronic module, e.g., for collecting physical or physiological data,e.g., during exercise, workouts, athletic performances, use of athleticequipment, etc. Such methods may include, for example: (a) engaging anelectronic module with a module securing element provided in or on anarticle of clothing or piece of athletic equipment (e.g., optionally ina readily releasable manner), wherein the module includes an electronicdevice (e.g., a sensing element that senses at least one physical orphysiological characteristic associated with use of the article ofclothing or piece of athletic equipment); and (b) automaticallyactivating the module or at least a first function of the module inresponse to the engaging. Optionally, as part of the activationprocedure, activation will occur if and only if the module is orientedwith respect to the module securing element in a predeterminedactivation orientation.

In such methods, as described above, an activation system may beassociated with at least one of the module and/or the article ofclothing or piece of athletic equipment, and this activation system maysense when the module is engaged at the module securing element and/orwhether the module is oriented at the predetermined activation oriented.The module may be turned on and/or activated and/or various functions ofthe module may be turned on and/or activated when the module is engagedwith the module securing element (optionally when engaged in the properactivation orientation). If the module is not engaged with the modulesecuring element, if it is removed from the module securing element,and/or if it is oriented with respect to the module securing element ina manner other than in the predetermined activation orientation, themodule may be turned off or deactivated and/or various functions of themodule may be turned off or deactivated (optionally after apredetermined time period has elapsed).

In methods according to at least some examples of the invention, thevarious portions of the activation system may be included with thearticle of clothing or piece of athletic equipment and/or with themodule, and the various types of activation systems, sensor systems,securing elements, securing methods, etc. as described above may beused. Also, various arrangements of the elements (e.g., the module,activation system, sensing elements, etc.), like those described above,may be used for practicing these example method aspects in accordancewith the invention. Also, if desired, reorienting the module withrespect to the module securing element (e.g., flipping it over, rotatingit, etc.) may be used to turn off or deactivate the module and/orvarious functions of the module, in accordance with at least someexample methods of the invention.

B. Authentication Features

Additional aspects of this invention relate to clothing or athleticequipment systems that include some type of authentication system beforea module associated therewith will operate. In this manner, the modulewill not operate with any article of clothing or piece of athleticequipment, but rather, only with those that meet predeterminedauthentication requirements. Such clothing or athletic equipment systemsmay include, for example: (a) an article of clothing or piece ofathletic equipment having a module securing element; (b) a moduleremovably engaged with the module securing element, wherein the moduleincludes an electronic device (e.g., a sensing element that senses atleast one physical or physiological characteristic associated with useof the article of clothing or piece of athletic equipment); and (c) anauthentication system that determines whether the article of clothing orpiece of athletic equipment and the module are authorized for operationwith one another. Once activated, the module or electronic devicesincluded with the module may perform any desired function, such as radioor other audio/video communication functions, data transmission and/orreception functions, physical and/or physiological performance measuringand/or monitoring functions (e.g., speed and/or distance sensing, jumpheight sensing, heart or pulse rate sensing, blood pressure sensing,etc.), GPS information providing functions, altitude measuringfunctions, impact-attenuation control functions, RFID or other datatransmission and/or reception functions, heating or cooling functions,etc.

Any type of authentication system may be used without departing from theinvention. For example, in at least some examples of this aspect of theinvention, a first portion of the authentication system may be includedwith the article of clothing or piece of athletic equipment and a secondportion of the authentication system may be included with the module. Assome even more specific examples, at least some of the systems describedin the section above may be considered as providing a basicauthentication system. For example, as described above, some examplesystems may require the module to be oriented in a predetermined mannerwith respect to the module securing element before the module willoperate and/or before it will provide the desired data. In otherexamples, the module and the article of clothing or piece of athleticequipment both must contain a portion of the activation system and/orotherwise cause a predetermined interaction or change in a sensedcondition before the module and/or at least some of its functions areactivated. Therefore, in these examples, the module will not work withany piece of clothing or athletic equipment, but only with clothing andathletic equipment that includes at least a corresponding portion of therequired activation (or authentication) system and/or only with clothingor athletic equipment that will cause a predetermined interaction and/orchange in a sensed interaction or parameter.

Various types of systems may be used for authentication withoutdeparting from the invention, such as magnetic sensor systems,piezoelectric sensor systems, accelerometers, light (or other radiation)sensor systems, and the like. As more specific examples, a first portionof a light or magnetic sensor system (e.g., a magnet, a magnetic sensor,a light source, a light detector, etc.) may be included with the articleof clothing or piece of athletic equipment and a second complementaryportion of the sensor system (e.g., a magnetic sensor, a magnet, a lightsensor, a light source, etc.) may be included with the module, and/or aspecific orientation between these elements may be required before themodule will be turned on, activated, and/or enabled for use. Asadditional examples, magnetic pole orientation, magnetic field strengthat the magnetic sensor (e.g., at least a threshold strength, strengthwithin a predetermined range, etc.), magnetic field direction at themagnetic sensor, detected light wavelength, detected light pattern,detected light direction, detected light intensity, and the like may beused as part of the information necessary to authenticate themodule/clothing or module/athletic equipment combination (e.g., todetermine whether the article of clothing or piece of athletic equipmentand the module are authorized for operation with one another). As stilladditional examples, the article of clothing or piece of athleticequipment or the module may include multiple magnets or light sources,and overall magnetic pole orientation information, magnet locationinformation, composite magnetic field strength at the magnetic sensor(s)(e.g., at least a composite threshold strength, a composite strengthwithin a predetermined range, etc.), composite magnetic field directionat the magnetic sensor(s), detected light wavelengths, patterns,directions, intensities, and the like may be used as part of theinformation necessary to authenticate the module/clothing ormodule/athletic equipment combination (e.g., to determine whether thearticle of clothing or piece of athletic equipment and the module areauthorized for operation with one another). Combinations of variousdifferent types of authentication systems also may be used withoutdeparting from this invention.

Additional aspects of this invention relate to methods for activatingelectronic modules (e.g., for collecting physical or physiological data,for example, during exercise, workouts, athletic performances, use ofathletic equipment, or for other functions or purposes) that includeauthenticating steps and/or the use of authenticating systems. Suchmethods may include, for example: (a) engaging a module with a modulesecuring element provided in or on an article of clothing or piece ofathletic equipment, wherein the module includes an electronic device(e.g., a sensing element that senses at least one physical orphysiological characteristic associated with use of the article ofclothing or piece of athletic equipment); (b) determining whether themodule and the article of clothing or piece of athletic equipment areauthorized for operation with one another; and (c) activating the moduleor at least a first function of the module when the module and thearticle of clothing or piece of athletic equipment are determined to beauthorized for operation with one another. Of course, the modules and/orat least some functions of the modules (e.g., the electronic device orportions or functions thereof) may be turned off, left off, deactivated,disabled, remain deactivated, remain disabled, etc., when the module andarticle of clothing or piece of athletic equipment are determined to beunauthorized for use with one another and/or when the module isdisengaged from the module securing element. Various ways of providingthe authentication information may be used in these methods, e.g.,including the use of one or more magnets and magnetic sensors, relativemagnet/sensor positioning and orientation, magnetic field strength,magnetic field direction, one or more light sources and sensors, lightpatterns, light intensity, light wavelength, etc., as described above,without departing from this aspect of the invention.

C. Algorithm Selection Features

The interaction between the module and its activation system may be usedfor other purposes as well. For example, in accordance with at leastsome example aspects of the invention, features relating to theinteraction between the module and its activation systems may be used toprovide information as to what data processing algorithm should be used,for example, to process data sensed, collected, and/or generated by thesensor(s) included with the module. Clothing or athletic equipmentsystems in accordance with at least some of these example aspects of theinvention may include: (a) an article of clothing or piece of athleticequipment including a module securing element; (b) a module activationsystem, wherein at least a portion of the module activation system isincluded with the article of clothing or piece of athletic equipment;and (c) a module removably engaged with the module securing element,wherein the module includes an electronic device (e.g., a sensingelement that senses at least one physical or physiologicalcharacteristic associated with use of the article of clothing or pieceof athletic equipment), and wherein an interaction between the moduleactivation system and the module provides data processing algorithmselection information to the module.

Various ways of changing or controlling the interaction between themodule and the module activation system may be used without departingfrom this invention. For example, if the module activation systemincludes a magnetic based sensor system, aspects of the interactionbetween the module and the module activation system may be changed orcontrolled, for example, by changing the orientation, position,location, magnetic field orientation, and/or pole orientation of one ormore magnets with respect to the magnetic sensor element(s); by changingthe strength of one or more of the magnets; etc. Different orientations,positions, locations, magnetic field orientations, magnetic poleorientations, strengths, composite magnetic field strengths, compositemagnetic field orientations, and the like may be sensed by systems andmethods in accordance with examples of this invention and used asinformation to control and/or select the data processing algorithm usedwhen the data is collected. Of course, light sources and light sensors(or other detection systems) may be used and various differentcharacteristics regarding the detected light (or other parameter) may beused to control and/or select a data processing algorithm for use.Combinations of various different sensors and/or sensed parameters alsomay be used without departing from this invention.

As even more specific examples, different orientations, positions,locations, magnetic field orientations, magnetic pole orientations,magnetic strengths, composite magnetic field strengths, compositemagnetic field orientations, light positions, light wavelength,transmitted/reflected lights and/or patterns, light intensity, and thelike may be sensed by systems and methods in accordance with examples ofthis invention and used to indicate, for example, the type of clothingor equipment with which the module is engaged, a location on an articleof clothing or piece of athletic equipment at which the module isengaged, etc. Then, once the type of clothing or equipment or locationon the clothing or equipment is determined, the module may be controlled(e.g., by a micro-processor) to initiate a specific type of dataprocessing algorithm and/or to sense specific types of data orinformation associated with the indicated type of clothing or equipmentor location on the clothing or equipment.

As still more specific examples, each article of clothing or piece ofathletic equipment produced by a specific manufacturer may include amagnet or light source (or other element) as part of a module activationsystem, and different sensors included with the module may be activated,different data algorithms may be run, and/or different information maybe presented to the user depending on the type of clothing or athleticequipment to which the module is engaged. For example, for basketballjerseys, the magnet may be arranged in the clothing with the north poleup or a light of wavelength A may be included in the jersey, and whenthis pole orientation or light wavelength is sensed by the appropriatesensor included with the module, the module may be controlled to collectjump height information, speed information or the like and to providethis information to the user's display (or others). On the other hand,for golf shirts, shorts, or pants, this same manufacturer may arrangethe magnet to always be south pole up or to use a different wavelengthlight source. Therefore, when this other pole orientation or lightwavelength is sensed by the sensor included with the module, the modulemay be controlled to generate pedometer-based speed and/or distanceinformation and provide this information to the user's display (orothers). A wide variety of different sensing elements and algorithms maybe activated for use with a wide variety of different types of clothingor pieces of athletic equipment in this manner (e.g., by detectingvarious different activation conditions) without departing from thisinvention.

As additional more specific examples, an individual article of clothingor piece of athletic equipment produced by a specific manufacturer mayinclude plural module securing elements (e.g., one high on a leg, onelow on a leg, etc.). Different magnet arrangements or conditions (orlight sources or other activation system elements or conditions) may beassociated with each of these different module securing elements so asto enable the sensor system to determine the location on the article ofclothing or piece of athletic equipment where the module is engaged(e.g., south pole up at the lower leg area, north pole up at the upperleg area, etc.). Optionally, each module securing element on the articleof clothing or piece of athletic equipment may have its own independent,associated magnets or other module activation systems, or alternatively,if desired, portions of one activation system may be shared by more thanone module securing element (e.g., by varying distance, direction,orientation, intensity, etc. at the various module securing elementlocations, etc.). Different sensors may be activated in the module,different data algorithms may be run, and/or different information maybe presented to the user (or others) depending on which module securingelement in the article of clothing or piece of athletic equipment issensed as being utilized by the user.

Examples of this aspect of the invention also relate to methods forselecting data processing algorithms for activation, e.g., using systemswith data algorithm selection capabilities like those described above.Such methods may include, for example: (a) engaging a module with amodule securing element provided in or on an article of clothing orpiece of athletic equipment, wherein the module includes an electronicdevice (e.g., a sensing element that senses at least one physical orphysiological characteristic associated with use of the article ofclothing or piece of athletic equipment); (b) determining a location inan article of clothing or piece of athletic equipment or a type ofclothing or athletic equipment with which the module has been engaged;and (c) selecting and/or initiating a data processing algorithm based onthe determined location or type of article of clothing or equipment. Asdescribed above, various features of a module activation system and/orits interaction with the module may be used to provide the clothing orequipment type or module location information in such methods, such asmagnet or light source orientation, magnet or light source position,magnet or light source location, magnetic pole orientation, magnet orlight strength or intensity, changes in detected conditions of a magnetor light source, etc.

D. Data Input Features

Still additional aspects of this invention relate to data input featuresfor electronic modules, such as modules associated with physical orphysiological performance monitoring systems, e.g., for use witharticles of clothing or pieces of athletic equipment. Such systems mayinclude, for example: (a) a housing; (b) a sensing element or otherelectronic module provided at least partially within or on the housing,e.g., for sensing information indicative of at least one physical orphysiological characteristic associated with an athletic performance(e.g., speed and/or distance information, GPS information, altitudeinformation, jump height information, user physical or physiologicalinformation, etc.); (c) a data input system provided at least partiallywithin or on the housing for receiving input data, e.g., in a wirelessmanner; and (d) an article of clothing or piece of athletic equipmentwith which the housing is engaged (optionally in a readily removablemanner). The data input system may be capable of receiving input data atleast at times when the electronic module is not performing otherfunctions, such as when a sensing element included with the electronicmodule is not sensing physical or physiological characteristicsassociated with the athletic performance (e.g., at a point of salelocation, at a race or event registration location, while mounted in anarticle of clothing or piece of athletic equipment, etc.). The datainput system, in accordance with at least some examples of thisinvention, may utilize the sensing element to receiving input data.

The data input system may receive input data in various ways withoutdeparting from the invention. In accordance with at least some examplesof this invention, the data input system may receive input data, atleast in part, in a wireless manner, for example, via electromagneticpulses, via light pulses, etc. Such data input systems may be provided,for example, in any of the various clothing or athletic equipmentsystems and methods described above.

Still additional examples of this aspect of the invention relate to datahandling methods, optionally using data input systems, e.g., like thosedescribed above. Such methods may include, for example: (a) providing asensing element or other electronic device in or on a module (e.g., ifdesired, the sensing element or other electronic device may sense atleast one physical or physiological characteristic associated with anathletic performance or perform other desired functions); and (b)inputting data into a memory provided in the module, wherein theinputting takes place in a wireless manner. The inputting may takeplace, for example, at least while the sensing element included with theelectronic module is not sensing the physical or physiologicalcharacteristics associated with the athletic performance (e.g., at apoint of sale location, at a race or event registration location, whilemounted in an article of clothing or piece of athletic equipment, etc.).In at least some examples of this invention, the sensing element may beused for receiving the input data. Examples of methods in accordancewith this aspect of the invention further may include engaging themodule with an article of clothing or piece of athletic equipment(optionally in a readily removable manner). The data inputting may takeplace prior to engaging the module with the article of clothing or pieceof athletic equipment, after the module has been engaged with thearticle of clothing or piece of athletic equipment at least one time,while the module is engaged with the article of clothing or piece ofathletic equipment, and/or at any other desired time. The data also maybe input via electromagnetic or light pulses, as described above.

E. Articles of Clothing or Pieces of Athletic Equipment

Still additional aspects of this invention relate to clothing andathletic equipment structures and methods for producing such clothingand athletic equipment structures for use in systems and methods likethose described above. Clothing and athletic equipment structures inaccordance with at least some examples of this invention may include:(a) a garment member or a piece of athletic equipment; (b) a firstmodule securing element included with the garment member or piece ofathletic equipment, wherein the first module securing element includesstructure for removably engaging a module that includes at least oneelectronic device (e.g., a sensor for sensing at least one physical orphysiological characteristic associated with use of the garment memberor piece of athletic equipment); and (c) an interaction system includedwith the garment member or piece of athletic equipment, wherein theinteraction system produces an interaction and interacts with a modulewhen a module is present in the first module securing element. Inaccordance with at least some examples of this invention, at least aportion of the interaction system may be provided so as to be locatedproximate to the module securing element at least when the article ofclothing or piece of athletic equipment is in use.

The interaction system provided in the article of clothing or piece ofathletic equipment may include a magnet and/or a magnetic sensor, asdescribed above. Of course, a wide variety of other interaction systemsmay be used without departing from the invention, such as a light orother radiation source, a light or radiation detector, a pressureproducing element, a pressure sensor, an accelerometer, a contactmember, etc. In at least some examples of the invention, the interactionsystem will induce a change in a measured parameter and/or otherwiseinduce an interaction or change in some property that may be detected bya sensor included with the module or the article of clothing or piece ofequipment when the module is mounted at the module securing element.

Additionally, as described above, an article of clothing or piece ofathletic equipment may include plural module securing elements and/orplural interaction systems without departing from the invention. Ifdesired, each individual module securing element may have a separateinteraction system, multiple module securing elements may share a singleinteraction system and/or a portion thereof, and/or all module securingelements on an individual article of clothing or piece of athleticequipment may share a single interaction system, etc., without departingfrom this invention. If desired, different sensors and/or dataprocessing algorithms may be activated depending on the module securingelement with which the module is engaged.

Methods in accordance with this example aspect of the invention includemethods for producing an article of clothing or piece of athleticequipment with an interaction system, e.g., of the types describedabove. Such methods may include, for example: (a) providing a firstmodule securing element in or on a garment member or a piece of athleticequipment, wherein the first module securing element includes structurefor removably engaging a module with the garment member or the piece ofathletic equipment; and (b) providing a first interaction system in oron the garment member or piece of athletic equipment, wherein the firstinteraction system operates, at least in part, to induce a change orinteraction detectable at a module when a module is engaged with thefirst module securing element. Plural module securing elements and/orinteraction systems may be provided, and different sensors and/or dataprocessing algorithms may be activated for the different module securingelements, if desired, as described above.

II. SPECIFIC EXAMPLES OF THE INVENTION

While aspects of the invention generally have been described above, thefollowing provides more detailed, specific examples of systems andmethods in accordance with the invention. Those skilled in the artshould understand, of course, that the following description constitutesdescriptions of examples of the invention and should not be construed aslimiting the invention in any way.

As described above, FIG. 1 generally illustrates an example of theinvention and an example environment of use in which articles ofclothing 100 (or pieces of athletic equipment) are equipped withperformance measuring or other electronic modules 102. The modules 102may include detectors or sensing devices for sensing or collectinginformation during a performance (e.g., during exercise, an athleticevent, use of athletic equipment, or other performance activity). Themodules 102 or the articles of clothing 100 (or pieces of athleticequipment) further may include processing capabilities, wiring, and/ortransmission capabilities (e.g., wireless transmission device 106 andwireless receiver device 108, etc.) to provide information to the user104. While any desired type(s) of information may be sensed and/orprovided to the user 104, more specific examples of the types ofinformation include: user traveling speed information; distance traveledinformation; GPS information; altitude information; jump heightinformation; user physical or physiological information (e.g., pulserate, heart rate, body temperature, blood pressure, EKG data, EEG data,etc.); information derived from the GPS, speed, distance, physical,physiological, or other information (e.g., warning information, routeinformation, geographical information, etc.); impact force and/ordirection; and the like. As further examples, rather than sensors, theelectronic modules 102 may perform any desired function, such astransmission and/or reception of RFID, radio, audio, video, or otherdata or information. The data or information may be presented to theuser 104 via a display device 110 (e.g., through a wireless receiver108), such as a watch or wrist worn display device, a PDA type device, acellular telephone, an MP3 or other audio player, a head worn displaydevice, a pager type device, etc. Alternatively or additionally, ifdesired, the sensed information or other information may be used tochange or control features of the clothing 100 (or pieces of athleticequipment) itself (e.g., to control heating and/or cooling aspects, tocontrol features of impact-attenuation devices, etc.) or to change orcontrol other devices, with or without providing the information to auser 104.

FIG. 2 schematically illustrates example elements that may be includedin a module 102 for use in an article of clothing 100, as shown in FIG.1, and/or in pieces of athletic equipment (as will be described in moredetail later in this specification). FIG. 2 generally shows that amodule 102 may include a power supply, which may constitute one or moreof a battery (e.g., a rechargeable battery, etc.), a solar cell, and/oranother type of power supply. The power supply supplies power foroperating other elements that may be included in the module 102, such asa magnetic sensor element that, as will be described in more detailbelow, may be used as part of an activation or authentication system inat least some examples of systems and methods in accordance with thisinvention. Of course, as noted above, other types of activation andauthentication systems may be used without departing from thisinvention, such as light sources/sensors, piezoelectric elements, etc.The power supply also may provide power to other elements of the module,such as any electronic devices or sensors, the processing system, thedata transmission system 106, the memory, etc.

The magnetic sensor may provide signal information to a processingsystem, e.g., one or more microprocessor devices, such as informationindicating one or more characteristics of a magnetic field sensed by themagnetic sensor, such as magnetic field strength, magnetic fielddirection, magnet location, magnet polar orientation, number of magnetsources, positioning of magnetic sources, etc. When used as part of anauthentication system, or even when used as part of an activationsystem, the microprocessor may process the incoming data from themagnetic sensor, determine whether the module 102 is located in anarticle of clothing or piece of athletic equipment and/or at a positionor orientation suitable or authorized for use, and selectively operateone or more electronic devices (e.g., a sensing device, optionallyincluded as part of the module 102, etc.) when appropriate to do so(e.g., turn on the electronic device, enable its operation, and/oractivate it when the microprocessor determines that the module 102 isproperly oriented and/or is authorized for use with the clothing orathletic equipment to which it was attached and/or turn the electronicdevice off, disable its operation, and/or deactivate it when themicroprocessor determines that the module 102 is not properly orientedfor use and/or is not authorized for use with the clothing or athleticequipment to which it was attached). The electronic device may sense,collect, and/or provide any desired type of information, such asphysical or physiological data associated with use of the article ofclothing or piece of athletic equipment, as noted above. Additionally oralternatively, the electronic device may transmit or receive data, audiosignals, radio signals, video signals, transmit RFID information orother data; etc. Optionally, in at least some example systems, themagnetic sensor used for activation and/or authentication purposes alsomay function as a physical and/or physiological data sensing device,without departing from the invention (e.g., used as a Hall sensorelement, used to provide pedometer based speed and/or distanceinformation, used to provide impact-attenuation element control, etc.).One or more LEDs 112 (or other indicator(s)) may be used to indicatewhen the module 102 is properly oriented, turned on, receiving data,shutting down, etc.

A memory may be provided for storing data, e.g., the data collected bythe electronic device. The collected (and optionally stored) dataoptionally may be subjected to further processing in the microprocessorand/or sent to a peripheral display device or other processing device asdescribed above, e.g., via wireless transmission elements 106 providedwith the module 102 in this example structure. Of course, any desiredtype of data transmission mechanism and system may be used withoutdeparting from the invention, including wired and wireless connections.Additionally or alternatively, if desired, data from the electronicdevice, or even data further processed by the microprocessor, may besent to a peripheral device where further processing may take placeand/or for display to the user (e.g., the display device 110 may operatein conjunction with a separate processing system that further processesthe data, optionally after combining it or using it with other externaldata or information, before displaying information to the user, etc.).Any suitable or desired processing may take place aboard the module 102,the display device 110, and/or any other desired processing device (notshown) without departing from this invention.

Of course, FIG. 2 merely shows examples of some devices and elementsthat may be included on a module 102 for engaging with an article ofclothing or piece of athletic equipment. One or more of the elementsshown in FIG. 2 may be included as part of the clothing or athleticequipment structure rather than the module 102 without departing fromthe invention, such as the power supply, the memory, the microprocessor,the transmission system 106, at least portions of the magnetic sensorand/or the electronic devices, etc. When various elements are providedat locations other than the module 102, electrical connections and/orother communications with the module 102, if necessary, may take placein any desired manner, such as via wires, contact pads, contact pins,wireless connections, etc.

FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic diagram showing the interaction betweenthe electronic module 102 and its corresponding display device, such asdevice 110 illustrated in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 3, the module 102 ofFIG. 2 transmits the desired data to display device 110, in thisexample, via a wireless connection (e.g., from wireless transmittingdevice 106 on board module 102 to wireless receiving device 108 providedas part of the display device 110 in this example). Once received, amicroprocessor provided with the display device 110 can further processthe data, if necessary, and then provide signals to activate and/orcontrol a display device (e.g., an audio, video, alphanumeric display,etc.) to display the desired information. As noted above, any desiredtype of information may be provided to the user, in any desired form orformat, without departing from this invention. As further shown in FIG.3, the display device 110 further may include one or more of thefollowing: user input devices (such as buttons, keys, a digitizer andstylus, a mouse, etc.); a power supply; and a memory. If desired,aspects of this invention may be practiced with conventional displaydevices, such as watch or wrist worn display devices, PDA type devices,cellular telephones, MP3 or other audio players, head worn displaydevices, pager type devices, etc. Alternatively, if desired, the module102 may provide data to a personal computer, server, or the like, e.g.,to enable further processing of the collected data (e.g., post-eventanalysis of the data, storage and cataloging of collected data overmultiple performances or events, etc.).

FIG. 4 generally illustrates an example of an electronic module 102secured to an article of clothing 100, such as a tee shirt or jerseytype garment. As shown in FIG. 4, in this example structure 100, a frontportion of the article of clothing 100 has a module securing element 120defined therein for receiving and securing a module including anelectronic device, e.g., an electronic device for measuring a physicalor physiological characteristic associated with activity taking placeduring use of the article of clothing 100, e.g., modules 102 of thetypes illustrated in FIGS. 1-3. While the module securing element 120may take on many different sizes, shapes, and forms without departingfrom the invention, in this example structure 100, the module securingelement 120 takes the form of a pocket or pouch defined in or on thegarment structure 100 into which the module 102 may be slid, asillustrated by arrow 122 in FIG. 4. If desired or necessary, the modulesecuring element 120 may include an opening, connectors, or otherstructure so that at least a portion of the module 102 may be connectedto the user's body and/or directly exposed to the user's skin, e.g., forproviding physiological data, such as heart rate, blood pressure, bodytemperature, EKG data, or the like.

Once inserted into the module securing element 120, the module 102 maybe further secured to the article of clothing 100, if necessary ordesired. For example, if desired, the opening of the pocket 120 or pouchthrough which the module 102 is inserted may include an associated coveror flap structure that can be folded over to cover the opening andthereby secure the module 102 in the pocket 120 and to the article ofclothing 100. The flap or cover may be further, secured, if necessary ordesired, e.g., via magnetic engagement, hook-and-loop fasteners, snapfasteners, buckles, hooks, or other securing elements, to even moresecurely hold the module 102 in the pocket 120. Of course, other ways ofsecuring the module 102 within the pocket 120 and/or to the article ofclothing 100 may be used without departing from the invention, such asretaining walls and elements, detents, threaded arrangements, springloaded arrangements, clamps, clasps, other mechanical connectors,adhesives, and the like. As still additional examples, if desired,structures may be provided in the pocket 120, garment 108, and/or on themodule 102 to directly (and optionally releasably) attach these membersto one another, such as in the manner in which memory cards are insertedinto and attached within their respective slots (e.g., in digitalcameras, recorders, etc.). Optionally, if desired, no cover or flap isnecessary, e.g., if other structures involved can adequately hold themodule 102 in place in the pocket 120 and/or on the garment 100, ifprotection of the module 102 from external debris and/or the elements isnot an issue, etc.

FIG. 4 further illustrates example features of a clothing system thatmay be used to activate the module 102 and/or one or more functions ofthe module 102 (e.g., to activate physical and/or physiological datacollection, sensing, detection, data transmission, etc.). Specifically,FIG. 4 illustrates that a portion of the clothing structure 100 mayinclude one or more magnets 124 therein. When the module 102 includingthe magnetic sensor (see FIGS. 2-3) is inserted into the pocket 120 inthis example structure 100, the magnetic sensor will sense the magneticfield generated by the magnet(s) 124, and the magnetic sensor on boardthe module 102 then can send a signal to the microprocessor on board themodule 102, which can further send appropriate signals to activatevarious elements and/or functions of the module 102 (e.g., activate asensing device or other electronic device, activate thetransmission/reception system 106, activate an RFID system, etc.).

As another specific example, if desired, the magnet(s) 124 and themagnetic sensor on board the module 102 may constitute a Hall sensorsystem, which can detect relative motion between the magnet(s) 124 andthe magnetic sensor on the module 102. Relative motion between themagnetic sensor on the module 102 and the magnet(s) 124 during insertionof the module 102 into the opening 130 may be detected, e.g., toinitially power on the module 102 and/or to activate various functionsof the module 102. In this manner, the module 102 can be automaticallypowered on immediately when it is inserted into the article of clothing100 without the need for further action by the user and without the needfor electrical contacts between the module 102 and the article ofclothing 100. Alternatively, if desired, other steps may be involved ininitially turning on the module 102 (e.g., user interaction with anON/OFF switch, etc.).

If capable of detecting motion during each step and/or jump landing(e.g., if the module 102 were mounted in the leg portion of a pair ofpants, in a sock, etc.), the magnetic sensor/magnet system also may beused as at least part of the physical and/or physiological sensingdevice, e.g., to provide pedometer type speed and/or distanceinformation, jump height sensing information, etc.). As described above,data collected by the module 102 may be sent to a display device 110 orother processing system, e.g., via a wireless connection, for display toa user or another.

The example structure 100 shown in FIG. 4 has other potential usefulfunctions and properties. For example, the magnet(s) 124 and themagnetic sensor on board the module 102 also may be used as an automaticshut-off element. More specifically, for example, if the magnetic sensorsystem does not detect motion for a predetermined period of time (e.g.,no relative motion between the magnet(s) 124 and sensor on board themodule 102 for 5 minutes, or the like), the microprocessor on board themodule 102 (or other location) may be programmed and adapted to send asignal to shut down various devices and/or elements on the module 102,e.g., to conserve battery life. Of course, other types of detectingsystems may be used to determine whether use of the article of clothingis continuing, such as motion detectors, light detectors (e.g.,interrupted or moving light beams, etc.), accelerometers, and the like.If desired, the microprocessor also may be programmed and adapted toautomatically shut down the module 102 and/or at least some functions ofthe module 102 when the module 102 is removed from the pocket 120,optionally after a predetermined time delay, e.g., in response tosignals generated by the magnetic sensor system or other detectionsystem.

Various ways of turning the module 102 and/or various functions of themodule 102 on and off may be provided without departing from thisinvention. For example, the module 102 may be designed such that it canbe turned on and/or operated when oriented in the article of clothing ina first orientation (e.g., in a “top up” orientation in this example, asshown in FIG. 4), e.g., using the magnetic sensor system or otherdesired “on/off” switching mechanism as described above. However, if theuser removes the module 102 from the pocket 120 and reorients it in thepocket 120 in another manner not corresponding to its original“activation” orientation (a “top down” orientation, a rotatedorientation, a flipped over orientation, etc.), this may provide anindicator to the microprocessor that the module 102, or at least somefunctions thereof, are to be turned off or deactivated. Switchingmagnetic pole orientations (e.g., north pole up to south pole up, etc.)also may be used to indicate reorientation of the module 102 (e.g., ifthe magnet is on board the module 102, etc.). In response to suchreorientations of the module 102, the microprocessor then can sendsuitable signals to shut down the module 102 or various functionsthereof (e.g., the LED 112 (see FIG. 2) may blink a few times toindicate that the module 102 is shutting down and then turn off when theshut down procedure is completed, etc.). This example feature givesusers the ability to easily and selectively control the on/off functionsof the module 102, e.g., to enable them to easily shut down the module102 (or at least its transmission and/or reception capabilities or othercapabilities) for airline travel, at hospitals, and/or at otherlocations where transmission and/or reception capabilities are banned orpotentially dangerous, to conserve battery life, etc. Of course, any wayof reorienting the module 102 may be used without departing from theinvention. This feature provides for easy and convenient ON/OFFswitching and also helps prevent the user from losing the module 102 (byallowing it to always be stored in pocket 120) and/or running down itspower supply when its use is not necessary or desired. Alternatively oradditionally, if desired, other ways of switching the module 102 on andoff may be used without departing from the invention, such as byincluding an ON/OFF switch, disconnecting the module 102 from its powersupply (e.g., breaking electrical connections if the power supply isindependent from the module 102 (such as included as part of the articleof clothing, piece of athletic equipment, etc.)), etc.

At least some of the various example systems described above inconnection with FIGS. 1-4 may be considered as including basic“authentication systems” because in at least some of these systems boththe article of clothing 100 and the module 102 have interacting elementsand/or interact in some manner to activate the module 102 and/or atleast some of the module's functions (e.g., the magnet(s) 124 in thearticle of clothing 100 and the magnetic sensor in the module 102, orvice versa). Of course, more sophisticated “authentication systems” maybe provided without departing from this invention. For example, ifdesired, the magnetic sensor on the module 102 may be used to detectadditional information regarding the magnetic field output by themagnet(s) 124, and the microprocessor on the module 102 may beprogrammed and adapted to activate the module 102 and/or variousfunctions thereof if and only if the detected magnetic field informationmeets certain predetermined parameters or criteria. For example, if themagnetic sensor on board module 102 is capable of measuring ordetermining magnetic field strength, the module's microprocessor couldbe programmed and adapted to activate the module 102 and/or variousfunctions of the module 102 if and only if the sensed magnetic fieldstrength meets a certain threshold level and/or if and only if thesensed magnetic field strength falls within a certain range. In thismanner, the module 102 could not be used with any type of clothing orany type of clothing with a simple magnet mounted therein, but ratheronly with articles of clothing that have an activation or authenticatingsystem that matches the authentication parameters set in the module'smicroprocessor. Of course a wide variety of other parameters may bemeasured and compared against threshold values or predeterminedauthorized range values for activation and/or authentication purposeswithout departing from the invention, such as magnetic fieldorientation, magnetic field direction, magnetic pole orientation,numbers of magnets, distance between magnet(s) and the sensor, etc.Additionally or alternatively, other source and sensor combinations maybe used without departing from the invention, such as light sources andlight detectors, and the “authenticating” information may take the formof, for example, light beam direction, number of light sources, distancebetween light source and detector, light source wavelengths, apredetermined pattern of blocked and transmitted light (e.g., lightblocked by the module and/or transmitted through the module, etc.),incident light angle, light reflection direction or characteristics,etc. Also, if desired, both the source and sensor (e.g., magnet, light,radiation, etc.) may be mounted on a single one of the module or thearticle of clothing, and interaction between the module and the articleof clothing may be used to change the sensed information (e.g., byblocking light, by transmitting light, by blocking magnetic fields, bychanging magnetic fields, by splitting light beams, by changing lightbeam directions, etc.). This information then may be used forauthentication purposes.

Optionally, if desired, the authentication information necessary toactivate and/or enable use of a module 102 with a specific article ofclothing may be set by the manufacturer at the factory, by retailers ata point of sale location, by consumers at home, and/or at any othersuitable or desired location in the supply chain and/or during use ofthe article of clothing.

FIG. 5 illustrates another example article of clothing 500 with a modulesecuring element 502 having a module 102 mounted therein in the generalmanner described above in conjunction with FIG. 4 (of course, anydesired type of module securing element and module may be used withoutdeparting from the invention). In this example system, the article ofclothing 500 forms a loop or ring, such as a belt, headband, sweatband,wrist band member, or the like, and this article of clothing 500 may beattached to any desired part of a user's body 504, such as an arm,wrist, head, leg, waist, chest, etc. The material 506 of the article ofclothing 500 may be a soft and/or stretchable material, to allow acomfortable fit over a wide range of sizes, etc. Alternatively, ifdesired, the article of clothing 500 may be in an elongated strip formthat produces a loop or ring using one or more fastener arrangements,such as buckles, hooks, snaps, hook-and-loop fasteners, clamps, clasps,adhesives, etc. Of course, any type of article of clothing 500 may beprovided with one or more modules of the types described above withoutdeparting from the invention. Examples of articles of clothing include,but are not limited to: shirts, jerseys, tee shirts, tank tops, tubetops, pants, shorts, sweat pants, swimwear, leotards, sport specificclothing, belts, head bands, wrist bands, sweat bands, socks,undergarments, hats, visors, eyeglasses, jackets, coats, and the like.As shown in FIG. 5, the module 102 may be releasably engaged in themodule securing element 502, e.g., in the manners described above, andit may provide signals to a display device 110 or other processingsystem, e.g., in the manners also described above.

In this illustrated example, a magnet 510 is arranged proximate to themodule securing element 502, and this magnet 510 may be used in themanner described above for activating the module (e.g., an electronicdevice or sensing element included with the module), for maintaining themodule in an active state while in use, for ON/OFF switching, forauthentication, etc. Of course, any number of magnets or arrangement ofmagnets may be used without departing from this invention. The use oftwo (or more) magnets (e.g., as shown in the example structure of FIG.4) can affect and increase the information available for activationand/or authentication purposes. For example, by controlling thestrengths and/or arrangements of various magnets used for activationand/or authentication, a wide variety of different composite magneticstrengths measured at the magnetic sensor, composite magnetic fielddirections measured at the magnetic sensor, magnetic poleorientation(s), the number of magnets, magnet position(s) relative tothe sensor, magnet positions relative to one another, and the like maybe produced, and this information may be used for activation and/orauthentication purposes. Again, the microprocessor included with themodule (or at another appropriate location) can limit activation of themodule (e.g., performance sensing elements (e.g., physical orphysiological sensing characteristics associated with the physicalperformance and/or use of the article of clothing or piece of athleticequipment) or other electronic devices included in the module) to timeswhen the module is located in a module securing element having magnetsor other authenticating elements (e.g., light or other radiationsources, etc.) meeting predetermined thresholds, parameters, orcharacteristics.

Also, if desired, different types of sensors and a variety of differenttypes of sensors in combination may be used for activation and/orauthentication purposes without departing from the invention, such as acombination of a magnetic source and sensor element with a light sourceand sensor element, optionally with either or both of the sources havingone or more characteristics that fall within a predetermined range ormeet a predetermined threshold for authentication purposes. As can bereadily understood from the above description, any number of sensors andany combination of types of different sensors may be used forauthentication purposes without departing from this invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates additional example features that may be included insystems and methods in accordance with at least some examples of thisinvention. FIG. 6 shows an article of clothing 600 that includes atleast one module 102, e.g., for measuring physical or physiologicalcharacteristics associated with use of the article of clothing 600and/or the activities performed while wearing the article of clothing.In this example structure, the article of clothing 600 includes twoindependent module securing elements 620(a) and 620(b), one (620(a))located in the mid-chest area of the jersey 600 as generally describedabove in connection with FIG. 4, one (620(b)) provided at the lowerfront side of the article of clothing 600). Separateactivation/authentication systems 610(a) and 610(b) are provided in thisexample structure 600 for each module securing element 620(a) and620(b), respectively. In this illustrated example, theactivation/authentication systems 610(a) and 610(b) take the form ofmagnets that interact with magnetic sensors on board the module 102.However, as described above, various different types of activationsystems and/or authentication systems may be provided, and variousdifferent parameters may be measured and used for authentication andactivation purposes without departing from this invention.

If desired, a single activation/authentication system may be providedfor use with all of the module securing elements on a given article ofclothing or piece of athletic equipment without departing from thisinvention. As still another alternative, if desired, two or more modulesecuring elements on a single article of clothing or piece of athleticequipment may share at least some portions of a singleactivation/authentication system (e.g., share a magnet, a light source,etc.) without departing from this invention.

The example article of clothing 600 of FIG. 6 also helps illustrateadditional potential features that may be available in accordance withat least some examples of this invention. More specifically, byproviding different types of and/or characteristics for the individualactivation/authentication systems provided on an article of clothing600, the processing system (optionally a microprocessor on board themodule 102) can determine, based on the signals generated by theactivation/authentication system, where the module 102 is located on thearticle of clothing 600. For example, magnets 610(a) associated withmodule securing element 620(a) may have a first composite strength, poleorientation, or other features with respect to the module 102 (and/orthe magnetic sensor on board the module 102), while magnets 610(b)associated with module securing element 620(b) may have a differentstrength, pole orientation, or other feature with respect to the module102. If the magnetic sensor (or other activation/authentication systemelement) provides this data to the microprocessor, the microprocessorcan use this information to determine the specific module securingelement (e.g., 620(a) or 620(b) in this example) at which the module 102is located. As a still further option, if desired, the microprocessorcan activate specific types of sensors and/or otherwise activate,initiate, or utilize specific types of data processing algorithms basedon the determined module 102 location (e.g., module securing location620(a) or 620(b)) within the article of clothing 600.

Some more specific examples follow. For example, the article of clothing600 and/or module 102 may be designed and programmed such that themodule 102 was designed to be placed in the chest area module securingelement 620(a) for use during long distance running or jogging. Thismodule 102 placement information (e.g., which may be determined based ondetected magnetic strength, pole orientation, light beam interruption,light beam wavelength, etc.) may be used by the microprocessor, forexample, to activate a GPS based sensor element and/or an EKG sensorelement and/or a data processing algorithm to provide GPS-based speed,distance, elapsed time, altitude, EKG, heart rate, blood pressure, bodytemperature, and/or other desired information to the user (e.g., viawireless transmission to a display device as described above). On theother hand, the article of clothing 600 and/or module 102 may bedesigned and programmed such that the module 102 is placed in the lowerside based module securing element 620(b) for use during walking orsimilar type exercise (e.g., when playing golf, walking along the beach,walking on a treadmill, etc.), and this placement information (e.g.,based on magnetic strength, pole orientation, light beam interruption,light beam wavelength, etc.) may be used by the microprocessor, forexample, to activate a pedometer based speed and distance monitoringsystems and/or a data processing algorithm to provide pedometer basedspeed and distance information to the user (e.g., via wirelesstransmission to a display device as described above). Of course, othermodule securing element placements and information relating to otherplacements may be used to activate still other sensors and/or other dataprocessing algorithms without departing from this invention (forexample, to activate jump height sensors, speed sensors, accelerometers,etc., and/or to activate data processing algorithms to sense and/or usethis type of data and/or send it to the user (e.g., via wirelesstransmission, etc.)).

Optionally, if desired, a user could use the article of clothing 600with multiple modules 102 simultaneously mounted in the multiple modulesecuring elements (e.g., 620(a), 620(b), etc.) without departing fromthe invention. In such a situation, the physical, physiological data,and/or other data produced by the sensing devices or other electronicdevices associated with the modules 102 may be displayed to the user onone or more display devices in any desired manner, e.g., on individualdisplay devices dedicated to each module 102, on a single display deviceaccording to a predetermined algorithm (e.g., in a repeated, changingmanner), on a single display device based on user demand, etc.Alternatively, if desired, a clothing system 600 may be designed so asto permit operation of or with only one module 102 at a given time.

The above examples of selective electronic device activation and/or dataprocessing algorithm selection may be extended to situations involvingdifferent types of articles of clothing and/or pieces of athleticequipment. A comparison of FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrates one example. Aclothing manufacturer may design one type of clothing article with onetype of activation/authentication characteristics and another type ofclothing article with different activation/authenticationcharacteristics. As more specific examples, a clothing manufacturer mayproduce all of its jerseys 400 for one sport to have anactivation/authentication system with two magnets 124 (or otheractivation system) oriented at the bottom of the module 102 when mountedin the clothing 400, and these magnets 124 will produce a magnetic fieldhaving one set of characteristics (as shown in FIG. 4). This samemanufacturer may produce all belt type articles of clothing 500 to havean activation/authentication system with one magnet 510 (or otheractivation system) having a different set of characteristics (e.g., asshown in FIG. 5). Of course, any of the various example characteristicsdescribed above may be used for activation and/or authenticationpurposes and/or for distinguishing one module securing element locationfrom another without departing from the invention (e.g., magnetic fieldorientation, magnetic pole orientation, magnet location relative to thesensor, number of magnets, magnet locations relative to one another,light wavelength, light intensity, number of light sources, lighttransmission/reflection/blocking properties, light beam splittingproperties, incident light angle, etc.). In this manner, simply byplacing a module 102 within an article of clothing, the sensor on boardthe module 102 (or other appropriate location) can detect theactivation/authentication information and characteristics, it can sendthe information to the microprocessor, and the microprocessor associatedwith the module 102 can determine the type of article of clothing (e.g.,400 or 500 in these examples) in which the module 102 is mounted. Thetype of article of clothing information also can be used by themicroprocessor to determine which sensors or other electronic devices toactivate and/or otherwise determine which data processing algorithm torun, e.g., in the manner described above in conjunction with FIG. 6(e.g., collecting and displaying GPS based information for use withrunning clothing v. collecting and displaying pedometer basedinformation for golf or other clothing v. collecting and displaying jumpheight information for basketball clothing v. collecting and displayingcycling oriented information v. running an algorithm, collecting, anddisplaying information for gaming purposes (e.g., electronic games,video games, games involving physical activities, etc.), etc.).

These aspects of the invention, however, are not limited to applicationsin which the module 102 is engaged with articles of clothing. Rather,modules 102 in accordance with at least some examples of this inventionmay be mounted to pieces of athletic equipment, and the same ON/OFFswitching, activating, authenticating, location identifying, equipmenttype identifying, and/or data algorithm selection features may beapplied to the athletic equipment. FIG. 7 illustrates an example system700 in which an electronic module 102 may be mounted to a bicycle frame702, e.g., to a receptacle 704 provided on the frame 702, via a clip orclamp element provided with the electronic module 102, via a fastener orconnector structure, etc. As the bicycle wheel 706 turns, each turn maybe detected by the module 102 (e.g., by detecting a magnet, reflectingmember 708, or the like mounted on the wheel frame), and this revolutioninformation, optionally combined with timing information, may betranslated to speed and/or distance information and sent to a displaydevice 110, e.g., via a wireless or other connection, in the mannerdescribed above. The display device 110 may be carried by the user asdescribed above, located on the bicycle, located remotely, etc. Magnets710(a) and 710(b) also mounted on the bicycle frame 702 in this examplecan be used for module ON/OFF switching, activation, authentication, andthe like, as described above in conjunction with FIGS. 1-6. Optionally,if desired, element 708 may be used for ON/OFF switching, activation,authentication, and the like, optionally alone or in combination withelements 710(a) and/or 710(b).

FIG. 8 illustrates another example piece of athletic equipment 800 thatmay be designed to work with an electronic module 102 of the typesdescribed above. In this example structure 800, the piece of athleticequipment is a golf club 802 that includes a slot 804 defined in theclub head 806 for releasably receiving an electronic module 102. Anymanner of securing the module 102 to the club head 806, shaft, etc., maybe used without departing from the invention, including flaps, retainingwalls or elements, detents, spring structures, clips, clamps, clasps,mechanical fasteners, adhesives, etc. If desired, the module 102 may besecured in the slot 804 in a releasable manner, e.g., in a mannersimilar to the way that PCMCIA cards or memory cards are mounted inelectronic devices (e.g., in digital cameras, recorders, laptops, or thelike). Of course, the module 102 also may be located at any desiredposition on the golf club 802 without departing from the invention.

The module 102 may include various sensors on board to detect a widevariety of data, such as club head speed, swing speed, initial balllaunch velocity, ball rpm, ball spin data, swing plane, impact force ordirection, and the like.

Also, as described above, a module activation/authentication system 808may be provided, e.g., at least partially in or on the piece of athleticequipment (e.g., club head 806, in this example). Moduleactivation/authentication system 808 may take the form of magnets andmagnetic sensors, light sources and light sensors, etc., as describedabove, without departing from the invention.

Also, as apparent from a comparison of the moduleactivation/authentication systems 710(a), 710(b), and 808 of FIGS. 7 and8, the features of the authentication/activation system (e.g., differentorientations, positions, locations, magnetic field orientations,magnetic pole orientations, magnetic strengths, composite magnetic fieldstrengths, composite magnetic field orientations, light positions, lightwavelength, transmitted/reflected lights and/or patterns, lightintensity, and the like) may be sensed by systems and methods inaccordance with examples of this invention and used to indicate, forexample, the type of equipment with which the module 102 is engaged, alocation on a piece of equipment at which the module is engaged, etc.Then, once the type of equipment or location on the equipment isdetermined, the module 102 may be controlled (e.g., by a microprocessor)to activate specific sensors and/or initiate specific types of dataprocessing algorithms associated with the indicated type of equipment orlocation on the equipment, etc. Also, if desired, activation and/orauthentication systems may be provided such that the same module 102 canbe used in clothing or athletic equipment and different potentialactivation/authentication arrangements can be provided to allow themodule to automatically determine whether it is located in clothing orequipment, the type of clothing or equipment, and/or location, and usethis information for selective sensor and/or data processing algorithmactivation.

Of course, aspects of this invention may be utilized to provide anelectronic module (e.g., for sensing a variety of different physicalcharacteristics, providing a variety of types of information, etc.) on awide range of different types of athletic equipment. Examples ofsuitable types of equipment include, but are not limited to: golf clubs;golf club heads; bicycles and cycling equipment; stationary or otherexercise bikes; skis, ski clothing, and ski equipment; skateboards andskateboarding equipment; baseball gloves and catcher's padding andequipment; hockey sticks, hockey padding, or other hockey equipment;rappelling or mountain climbing equipment; balls; lacrosse equipment;tennis equipment; football padding and equipment; athletic trainingequipment; canoeing or kayaking equipment; running equipment; soccerequipment; tennis equipment; boxing equipment; and the like. Examples ofsuitable parameters that may be measured include, but are not limitedto: ball speed; ball spin; swing speed; cycling or other movement speedand/or distance; impact force and/or direction; user running speedand/or distance; GPS information; physical or physiological dataassociated with the activity; exerted force magnitude and/or direction;and the like.

The module 102 as described above also may receive input data withoutdeparting from this invention (e.g., via a conventional wired orwireless connection, through the transmitter/receiving mechanism 106, ifany, etc.). For example, the module 102 may receive informationindicating the activating and/or authentication characteristics forwhich it is authorized for use, owner information, track or routeinformation, etc. If desired, the magnetic sensor, light sensor, orother device on board the module 102 used for receiving information foractivation and/or authentication purposes also may be used for receivinginput data (e.g., for storage in the microprocessor, in a memory onboard the module 102, in an external memory, etc.). FIG. 9 illustratesan example system 900 for inputting data into a module 102 (e.g., to itsmicroprocessor registers, to an on board memory, etc.). The system 900includes an electromagnet 902 and a device 904 that causes theelectromagnet 902 to pulse on and off (or otherwise send pulsed signals,e.g., a coiled wire and an AC current source may be used, etc.). Theelectromagnetic pulses (controlled by device 904) may be used toactivate the magnetic sensor on board the module 102 (see FIG. 2), whichcauses it to generate an output (as described above in connection withthe example activation and authentication procedures). By controllingthe pulses (e.g., no pulse=a logical 0 bit, a pulse=a logical 1 bit),input data can be generated and stored in the microprocessor, a memory,or other device on board the module. This feature could be used, forexample, at a point of sale location (e.g., to input purchaser'sidentification information, activation/authentication information,and/or other desired information), at a race venue (e.g., to input theathlete's identification information, track or route information, etc.),at another point of use location (e.g., a gym, a spa, etc.), or thelike. Of course, any desired data may be input in this manner, and anytype of input source may be used (e.g., a pulsed light source anddetector rather than magnetic source/sensor, etc.), etc., withoutdeparting from the invention.

Moreover, as illustrated in FIG. 10, the module 102 need not be removedfrom the article of clothing 500 or piece of athletic equipment whenreceiving input data. Rather, as shown in FIG. 10, the module 102 may beengaged with an article of clothing 500 or piece of athletic equipmentand still receive input data in the manner described above inconjunction with FIG. 9. In fact, the article of clothing or piece ofathletic equipment 900 may be actually in the process of being worn orused by the user at the time at least some of the input data istransmitted via electromagnet 902 (or other input data source, such as apulsed light source, etc.). Such systems may be particularly useful forinputting data and/or initiating some function of the module 102, forexample, at race venues or other point of use or competition locations.

The data input systems and methods described above in conjunction withFIGS. 9 and 10 allow one to use an external pulsed magnet, light source,or other source to input data into the module 102. One advantage of thisarrangement is that the data input system is contact free, does not useradio or IR input, and is simple to use. Also, it enables the module tobe produced in a watertight, sealed manner, e.g., with no physicalopenings in the housing, if desired.

Data input in this manner may be used for a wide variety of purposes.One example enables users (or others) to set various “modes” ofoperation. As one example, rather than actually inputting data into amemory, the frequency of the incoming signal may be detected and used toset various modes of operation (e.g., a 10 Hz input places the module102 in a “test” mode, 20 Hz places it in a “silent” or unactivated mode,60 Hz places it in full operation mode (e.g., including FM datatransmission to the display device, etc.), etc.). The “test mode” may beused, for example, at the factory, by placing the module in a test jigand testing its function(s) (e.g., running a predetermined battery oftests thereon, running diagnostics, etc.). At retail stores or otherpoint of sales locations, the module 102 may be placed on anelectromagnet as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 and given data input (e.g., aspecific predetermined frequency) to activate it for first time use oncepurchased (e.g., to zero out any mileage or information logged on themodule and/or article of clothing or equipment from previous in-storetry-ons, etc.). At athletic events, a user could stand or sit on anelectromagnet mat (or other appropriate data input device), and inputdata could be used to place the module in a special “rewards mode”(e.g., prompting it to send out data indicating total mileage ran, totalmiles or hours spent using the equipment or clothing, total miles over atime period, etc., and the wearer could check her progress againstpreviously designated goals and win prizes or rewards based on thelogged mileage or time data, etc.). These methods of data input also maybe used to place the module in various predetermined or specialoperational modes, such as pedometer mode, run mode, basketball jumpheight recording mode, game modes, etc., e.g., for specific uses.

Of course, a wide variety of different modes and uses may be providedbased on input introduced, for example, by the systems and methodsdescribed in conjunction with FIGS. 9 and 10. As more specific examples,such systems and methods may be used: (a) to activate an “airline sleepmode” (e.g., to turn off the data transmission and/or receptioncapabilities, e.g., at a kiosk or other location in airports, etc., toturn off the module for predetermined time periods, etc.); (b) to placethe module in a “game mode” to collect data used for video games,physical exercise games, or other games or reward programs, etc.; (c) toupgrade or add new firmware or software; (d) to activate a “power savemode,” e.g., for shipping or other non-use time periods (e.g., very lowpower to save shelf life, etc.); (e) to reset the system (e.g., mileagecounters, game scores, etc.); (f) to signal the module to output totalmileage, logged hours, identification information, other desiredinformation, etc.; (g) to input personal information (e.g., name,address, height, weight, running club, identification information,etc.); etc. One also could use data input systems like those shown inFIGS. 9 and/or 10, for example, for the following: (a) to provide “lowpower” or “anti-dead” operational override (to allow users to use upevery bit of battery life and still obtain the stored information); (b)to set up “partner codes” at the manufacturer (e.g., to set theauthentication parameters for use with the module, etc.); (c) to changethe security keys used for data scrambling and encryption (if desired orused by the system); (d) to set performance limits (e.g., to indicatethat the module typically will be used at slow speeds, etc.), which maybe used to enable the module's detectors to work better at the slowerend of a speed continuum and not optimize its settings for use at fastspeeds or over a wide range of speeds; (e) to change receiver (e.g.,radio, video, MP3 player, other display device) performancecharacteristics to match the user's model(s); (f) to change output ordisplay change frequency (e.g., update or change the displayedinformation twice a second, once every ten seconds, etc.); (g) to changeoperational/power consumption modes (e.g., higher power to provide veryhigh accuracy step counts or other data v. lower power, which may miss afew steps or data points (e.g., suitable when just walking around) butsaves battery life; etc.). A wide range of other input also may beprovided to the module 102, e.g., via the systems shown in FIGS. 9 and10, without departing from this invention.

Many of the examples above describe interactions between a devicemounted on an article of clothing or piece of athletic equipment and adevice included with a module for activation/authentication purposes.The invention is not limited, however, to use in this specificenvironment or structural arrangement. Rather, if desired, both thesource and the sensor may be included on only one member (e.g., both onthe module or both on the article of clothing or piece of athleticequipment) and changes in the detected parameters when the module isinserted in the article of clothing or piece of athletic equipment (orotherwise interacts with the article of clothing or piece of athleticequipment) may be used for activation/authentication purposes. Forexample, changes in the detected magnetic field, light beaminterruption, changes in light beamtransmission/reflection/angle/intensity properties, physicalinteractions, and the like may be induced when a module is inserted intoan article of clothing or piece of athletic equipment, and such changesmay be used for activation/authentication purposes without departingfrom the invention.

Also, much of the description above relates to systems in which a magnetor other source is located on the article of clothing or piece ofathletic equipment and is used for activation and/or authenticationpurposes. This is not a requirement in all examples of the invention.For example, if desired, the magnet or other activation/authenticationinitiator source may be provided on another device, such as on a watch,ring, bracelet, footwear, a peripheral device, and the like, and thenthis other device may be moved near the module in the article ofclothing or piece of athletic equipment to initiate data collection(e.g., for activation and/or authentication purposes).

Additionally, much of the description and specific examples above relateto systems and methods in which the electronic module mounted in thearticle of clothing or piece of athletic equipment provides or sensesinformation relating to the use of the article of clothing or piece ofathletic equipment (e.g., physical or physiological data associated withuse of the article of clothing or piece of athletic equipment). Systemsand methods according to at least some examples of the invention are notlimited to these types of uses. Rather, if desired, the electronicdevices or modules may perform any desired function and/or sense ormonitor any type of data without departing from this invention.Additional examples of potential functions or operations include, butare not limited to: data transmission and/or reception functions,enabling RFID transmission and/or reception functions, controlling othersystems (e.g., an active impact-attenuation control system, etc.),controlling a radio or other audio/video transmission or display device,receiving radio transmissions (e.g., AM/FM radio, etc.), etc.

The same electronic modules used in articles of clothing and/or athleticequipment, as described above, also may be used in articles of footwear,e.g., as described in more detail in commonly owned U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 11/166,351 filed Jun. 27, 2005. If desired, asingle electronic module may be selectively and freely moved by theuser, e.g., interchanged from one article to another (between articlesof clothing, articles of footwear, and/or pieces of athletic equipment),to different locations on a given article, etc. The various activationand/or authentication systems described above, or their variousdifferent arrangements, may be used by the electronic module, forexample, to inform the electronic module or the system(s) receiving datafrom the electronic module: (a) the type of article in which it ismounted (e.g., shoe, clothing or equipment; types of shoes, clothing orequipment; locations on shoes, clothing, or equipment, etc.), (b) thetype of data or information to sense, collect, or use, and/or (c) thedata algorithm to activate or use, etc. As another alternative, ifdesired, data exchanged between the electronic module and the article towhich it is mounted (e.g., shoe, article of clothing, or piece ofathletic equipment, etc.) may inform the electronic module or a systemthat accepts data therefrom as to the type of device in which it ismounted, the mounting location, the type of monitoring to conduct, thetype of sensors to activate, the data processing algorithm to run, etc.As a more specific example, if desired, mounting the electronic modulein a receptacle on an article of footwear, article of clothing, or pieceof athletic equipment may trigger an RFID transmission (e.g., from themounting device to the module) that informs as to the type of device onwhich the electronic module is mounted and/or its location on thedevice. This information may be used by the electronic module or systemsthat receive data therefrom for sensor activation purposes, for datamonitoring selection purposes, for data processing algorithm selectionpurposes, etc. In this manner, a single electronic module can be usedinterchangeably for a wide variety of different purposes and/or on awide variety of different articles or devices, including, for example,clothing, footwear, and athletic or other equipment, to measure a widevariety of different physical or physiological parameters.

III. CONCLUSION

While the invention has been described with respect to specific examplesincluding presently preferred modes of carrying out the invention, thoseskilled in the art will appreciate that there are numerous variationsand permutations of the above described systems and methods. For examplevarious aspects of the invention may be used in different combinationsand various different subcombinations of aspects of the invention may beused together in a single system or method without departing from theinvention. Also, various method steps described above may be changed,changed in order, omitted, and/or additional steps may be added withoutdeparting from this invention. Thus, the invention should be construedbroadly as set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:
 1. A method of authenticating an electronic module, comprising:sensing, by an authentication system, that an electronic module providedon at least one of: a watch, ring, bracelet, article of clothing, orperipheral device is within a threshold proximity relative to anelectronic device associated with a piece of athletic equipment;determining a type of the piece of athletic equipment based, at least inpart, on a position of a magnet with respect to a magnetic sensor; anddetermining whether the piece of athletic equipment and the electronicmodule are authorized for operation with one another based on the sensedproximity.
 2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:enabling at least a first function of the electronic module in responseto sensing that the electronic module is within the threshold proximityrelative to the electronic device.
 3. A method according to claim 2,further comprising wirelessly receiving data into the electronic modulewhen the electronic module is within the threshold proximity relative tothe electronic device.
 4. A method according to claim 1, wherein theelectronic module is provided on at least one of: a watch, ring, orbracelet.
 5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:preventing activation of at least a first function of the electronicmodule in response to sensing that the electronic module is outside asecond threshold proximity relative to the electronic device.
 6. Themethod according to claim 1, wherein the determining is based, at leastin part, on sensing whether plural magnets are arranged at predeterminedlocations with respect to one another or with respect to the electronicmodule.
 7. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: sensing,with a sensing element of the electronic device, at least one physicalor physiological characteristic associated with activity taking placewhile the piece of athletic equipment is used.
 8. The method accordingto claim 1, further comprising: deactivating the electronic module or atleast a first function of the electronic module when the electronicmodule is not with the threshold proximity relative to the electronicdevice.
 9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the piece ofathletic equipment includes at least a first portion of theauthentication system for authenticating the electronic module or afirst function of the electronic module.
 10. The method according toclaim 1, further comprising: sensing, by the authentication system, alocation on the piece of athletic equipment with which the electronicdevice has been engaged.
 11. The method according to claim 1, wherein asensed interaction between the authentication system and the electronicdevice indicates a first type of data to be collected from theelectronic device.